Netherlands-Argentina : Revenge In The Air

This sort of fixture doesn’t come your way often! Netherlands versus Argentina has grown over the years to become one of the World Cup classics. When the two sides line up again today at the Lusail Stadium in the quarterfinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there will certainly no love lost.
For Argentina, the dream to get Lionel Messi the World Cup trophy remains an extra motivation for a team that has not really sparkled since the start of the tournament. Messi has taken things personal and ran the show during their 2-1 victory over Australia in the round of 16 but his supporting cast will have to step up to the plate. Apart from Julian Alvarez, the other attacking players like Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria are still to perform to the standards expected of them. If they needed any motivation to finally turn up at the World Cup, then this game is as big as it gets.
For the Netherlands, it is not about the players but the coach, Louis Van Gaal. The 71-year-old has been heavily criticised by the Dutch media for his tactics but all to his credit, he has brought the best out of a Dutch team that lacks the talent and flair of the previous generations.  Blessed with an array of top class defenders, Van Gaal has built his team on defensive solidity with a 3-5-2 formation that allows his wing backs to support the forward players. Both wing back...